Residents push for windmill restrictions

When John Knox moved to Somerset County from the hustle and bustle life of Queens, N.Y., he found comfort in picturesque rolling mountains and towns nestled in scenic valleys.

Now he is facing a realization that towering windmills could call the tops of those mountains home.

Thursday, the Somerset County Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend a county subdivision ordinance for such structures. The proposal will now go in front of the Somerset County Commissioners at a meeting Tuesday.

Knox, along with approximately 25 other county residents attended the commission's meeting to voice concerns about a proposed windmill farm near King's Mountain Golf Course in Upper Turkeyfoot Township.

"I moved here to get away from the rat race," he said during a break in the meeting. "When I found out that they were planning to put windmills near my home, I couldn't believe it."

Knox said he has taken his children to see other windmill farms in the area before hearing of the proposal, but never imagined that he would be seeing them in his backyard.

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The group, mostly from Middlecreek and Lower Turkeyfoot townships asked the commission for help in regulating the structures.

According to the commission, little can be done at their level.

Residents from Meyersdale also attended Another 20-turbine wind farm is located atop Hunsrick Mountain, near Meyersdale.

For one Meyersdale resident, Karen Ervin, windmills located about seven-tenths of a mile from her home, have been wreaking havoc for her family and her neighbors.

"I hope that the commission can really take a look at regulating these," she said during a break in the meeting. "The windmills sound like a constant jet aircraft."

Ervin said decibel levels quoted at public hearings by the energy companies were far less that what she is hearing in and outside of her home.

"They told us that the sound would be like a quiet room," she said. "It is definitely not like that."

Ervin said the noise varies depending on the time of day, how the windmills are angled and the weather conditions.

"My family has lived in this area for the last 50 years," she said. "Never, would we have guessed that it would come down to this."

Resort officials are considering erecting seven turbines near King's Mountain Golf Course, though the resort president has said that plans are only preliminary.

King's Mountain is a "second home resort," with 76 homes and 14 full-time residents.

For residents who oppose the proposed wind farm, however, the ordinance could come too late because some have said the resort has already received a building permit, and it's possible the permit could absolve the wind farm of any new restrictions.

Somerset County Solicitor Dan Rullo said Thursday the same would hold true for existing wind farms.

King's Mountain residents said they were glad to hear of the experiences affecting the Meyersdale residents.

"Aesthetically, we do not need more windmills in Somerset County," said resident Scott Rodgers. "Sure, it helps to hear what they are going through, but once the (developers) start digging, there is no turning back."

According to Somerset County Planning Commission Director Brad Zearfoss, the ordinance amendment originally called for a 1,500-foot setback, which he modeled from a municipality in New York.

"1,500 feet was the maximum setback distance that we found," he said. "That is not to say that that is a good number, but it is a starting point based on what other municipalities have done."

Many residents voiced their opposition to the distance.

"To show some good faith on your part, these numbers can all be changed," said King's Mountain resident Jim Doyle "Why not err on the side of the residents and make it 2,500 feet or 3,000 feet and let the other people bring in the information to say that it is safer at less than that?"

The ordinance states: "No commercial wind energy facility shall be located within 3,000 feet from any existing off-site residence or commercial structure unless the owner of such. . .structure shall have executed a non-disturbance easement or covenant."

With that, the property owner would waive all damage or loss claims.

"I believe that there is going to be a debate on whatever number you choose," said Rullo.

A second issue included dealing with the decommissioning and removing the structures following use.

In the amendment, the developer must submit $50,000 to the county for each windmill. After the windmills cease operation, the developer or landowner will have a certain amount of time to have the structures removed.

The funds will be placed in an account and that money would be used to tear down the structures if the developer or land owner refuses.

This is not the first time the issue has been discussed at the county level.